Thursday, May 28, 2015

Washington Wages War on International Soccer

Washington Wages War on International Soccer

by Stephen Lendman

Is there more to what's going on than meets the eye? In January 2011, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Russian Sports minister Vitaly Mulko signed a declaration on Russia's official status as 2018 World Cup host nation.

At the time, Vladimir Putin said Russia would "use the experience…already gained in preparing for the Sochi Olympics in 2014."

Blatter expressed "certain(ty) that the World Cup (would) be held at the highest level and…turn into a truly magnificent event."

Russia won out over Britain, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. It plans to host the event in 13 cities. It intends making it first-class world event.

In April, 13 US influential senators wrote Blatter "strongly encourag(ing)" him to replace Russia with another host country," saying:

"Allowing Russia to host the FIFA World Cup inappropriately bolsters the prestige of the Putin regime at a time when it should be condemned and provides economic relief at a time when much of the international community is imposing economic sanctions."

FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer responded, saying:

"History has shown so far that boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation are not the most effective ways to solve problems."

The World Cup "can achieve positive change in the world, but football cannot be seen as a solution for all issues, particularly those related to world politics."

Blatter said "the World Cup in Russia will be able to stabilize all the situation in this region of Europe that is suffering now."

Is charging 14 current and former FIFA officials with various criminal offenses a thinly veiled scheme to continue bashing and trying to isolate Russia?

Everything done so far failed. Master chess player Putin outmatches his US counterpart. However charges against current and former FIFA officials are resolved, expect Russia to remain 2018 World Cup nation likely matching its successful 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Instead of going after war criminals, CIA and Pentagon torturers, banker mega-crooks, other corporate thieves, corrupt politicians on the take, dirty cops, and other major US offenders demanding prosecution, Washington targeted the Zurich, Switzerland-based International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) outside its jurisdiction.

The timing of the indictments and arrests wasn't coincidental - two days before FIFA's annual general meeting with its officials in one place at a luxury Zurich hotel.

Blatter is up for reelection. So far he's not charged. According to US officials, he's not cleared yet. Whether what's ongoing affects his reelection remains to be seen.

A 47-count indictment charges 14 individuals with racketeering, bribery, wire fraud and money laundering among other offenses as part of "a 24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer," according to the Justice Department.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said "(t)he indictment spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks."

"Today’s action makes clear that this Department of Justice intends to end any such corrupt practices, to root out misconduct, and to bring wrongdoers to justice - and we look forward to continuing to work with other countries in this effort."

America and Switzerland have an extradition treaty. A Swiss judge will decide what happens next. Even if extradition is ordered, individuals affected can appeal.

So-called "dual criminality" is a requirement many countries observe - namely that crimes alleged by one nation are recognized as such by the other before extradition can be considered.

The legal process in this case is expected to take months to work its way through Switzerland's judicial process - maybe much longer if appeals are made.

Some earlier cases dragged on for years. If extradition is rejected, Washington would likely issue so-called "red notices" to authorities in other countries - meaning individuals charged would risk arrest and extradition to America if they travel abroad.

According to international law experts, Switzerland is one of the world's toughest places to win extradition cases - especially on tax related charges.

"Without going into the details of the accusations…this is clearly another case of illegal extraterritorial use of US law."

"We hope that this will not in any way be used to cast a shadow on the international football organization as a whole and its decisions."

"Once again we are calling on Washington to stop attempts to make justice far beyond its borders using its legal norms and to follow the generally accepted international legal procedures."

Putin called FIFA indictments "an obvious attempt to spread (US) jurisdiction to other states (and) prevent Mr. Blatter's reelection…which is a gross violation of the principle of functioning international organizations."

"(T)he United States has no relation to" FIFA affairs. The individuals charged "are not US citizens, and if some event has taken place, it happened not on US soil…"

FIFA and Olympic competition are more about profiteering, exploitation and corruption than sport. Yet little is done to change things.